About the Contest
The Science Without Borders® Challenge 2027 is an international student art contest organized by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation to encourage young people to explore ocean science, marine conservation and environmental protection through art.
Theme for 2027: “Navigate with Care”
The theme of the 2027 Science Without Borders® Challenge is:
“Navigate with Care”
Students are invited to create artwork showing how people who travel on the water can help protect both people and life in the ocean by navigating safely and responsibly.
Through their artwork, participants can explore how responsible decisions on the water can:
- Protect marine animals and their habitats
- Conserve fragile marine ecosystems
- Promote safety at sea
- Reduce damage to ocean environments
- Help people and nature coexist
- Protect the ocean for future generations
Students should use their artwork to demonstrate how responsible navigation can contribute to healthier oceans while keeping people safe.
Eligibility Criteria
The Science Without Borders® Challenge 2027 is open to:
- Primary and secondary school students
- Students aged 11–19 years
- Students from anywhere in the world
- Students enrolled in a regular school or an equivalent homeschool programme
- Students interested in art, science, environmental conservation and oceans
Important: College and university students are not eligible.
Students who are 10 years old may participate if they turn 11 by March 1, 2027.
Participants will compete in two age categories:
- 11–14 years
- 15–19 years
Prizes are awarded separately in both age groups.
Competition Details
The Science Without Borders® Challenge 2027 is an international art competition conducted through online submission.
- Competition: Science Without Borders® Challenge 2027
- Theme: Navigate with Care
- Organizer: Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
- Eligibility: Primary and secondary school students
- Age: 11–19 years
- Age Categories: 11–14 and 15–19
- Participation: Individual
- Entry Fee: Free
- Submission Mode: Online
- Deadline: 1 March 2027
- Deadline Time: 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- College/University Students: Not eligible
Only one artwork may be submitted by each participant, and group submissions are not permitted.
Artwork Requirements
Participants must create an original two-dimensional artwork based on the 2027 theme.
Acceptable artwork can include:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Pencil artwork
- Marker artwork
- Crayon
- Ink
- Felt
- Oil pastel
The artwork must be created by the student.
The following are not accepted:
- AI-generated artwork
- AI-enhanced artwork
- Digitally created artwork
- Photographs
- Group artwork
- Artwork previously submitted to another art competition
- Artwork previously submitted to a Science Without Borders® Challenge
- Artwork copied from another artist or previous participant
There are no minimum or maximum size requirements for the physical artwork.
NEW for 2027 – Artwork Submission Requirements
For the 2027 competition, participants must submit:
1. Progress Photo #1
A photograph showing the student with their artwork during the early stages of creation, such as the sketch or outline.
The student's face and artwork should both be clearly visible.
2. Progress Photo #2
A second photograph showing the student with their artwork at a later stage of the creative process, before the artwork is completed.
The photo should clearly demonstrate progress from the first photograph.
3. Final Artwork Image
A high-quality image of the completed artwork must be uploaded.
Only the final artwork is judged.
The progress photographs are used to help verify that the artwork was created by the student and was not AI-generated. These photographs are not judged and will not be publicly displayed or used for promotional purposes.
Entry Deadline
1 March 2027
Time: 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET)
All entries must be received by the deadline.
No extensions will be granted.
Students should therefore complete their artwork, progress photographs, final artwork image and online entry form well before the deadline.
Parental Consent for Students Under 13
Participants who are under 13 years old will need their parent or guardian to provide consent.
Students under 13 should therefore involve their parents or guardians early in the application process and should not wait until the final day to complete the submission.
How to Enter
Students can participate by completing the following steps:
- Visit the official Science Without Borders® Challenge 2027 page https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/science-without-borders-challenge/#about-swbc
- Read the theme and contest rules carefully.
- Create an original 2D artwork based on “Navigate with Care.”
- Complete the online entry form.
- Upload a high-quality image of the completed artwork.
- Upload two photographs showing yourself creating the artwork at different stages.
- Provide the required information and description explaining how the artwork relates to the theme.
- If you are under 13, obtain the required parental consent.
- Submit the complete entry online before 1 March 2027, 11:59 PM ET.
- Keep a copy of your submitted materials for your records.
Judging & Evaluation
The submitted artwork will be evaluated according to the competition's judging criteria.
Students should focus on creating artwork that:
- Clearly addresses the “Navigate with Care” theme
- Communicates a meaningful message
- Demonstrates creativity and originality
- Shows an understanding of ocean conservation
- Connects responsible navigation with the protection of people and marine life
- Presents the idea effectively through visual storytelling
The organizers emphasize that students should clearly explain how their artwork connects to the annual theme.
Tips for Students
Students preparing their artwork should consider the following:
1. Understand the theme
Do not create a generic ocean picture. Your artwork should clearly communicate the idea of “Navigate with Care.”
2. Research responsible navigation
Learn how navigation decisions can affect marine animals, coral reefs, seagrass meadows, coastal habitats and human safety.
3. Tell a story
A strong artwork should communicate a clear idea or message rather than simply showing an attractive ocean scene.
4. Be original
Create your own interpretation of the theme. Do not copy characters, artwork or concepts from other artists.
5. Avoid AI tools
AI-generated and AI-enhanced artwork is not permitted. Students should keep photographs of themselves creating their artwork at different stages.
6. Explain your idea clearly
The description submitted with the artwork should clearly explain how the artwork connects to the “Navigate with Care” theme.
7. Start early
Since two progress photographs are required, students should document their creative process from the beginning rather than creating the artwork at the last minute.
Important Resources
- Science Without Borders® Challenge 2027: Living Oceans Foundation – Science Without Borders® Challenge
- Contest Rules & Eligibility: Living Oceans Foundation – Contest Rules & Information
- 2027 Theme – Navigate with Care: Living Oceans Foundation – Learn About the Theme
- Official Organizer: Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
- Entry Deadline: 1 March 2027, 11:59 PM ET
